Hazardous Waste Articles

The process of managing hazardous waste can be complicated. There are many guidelines to follow in order to be compliant with state and federal regulations, and proper identification of hazardous waste is the cornerstone of a compliant waste program. The entire identification process can be confusing, especially when it comes to understanding the definition of hazardous waste exclusions. You can help make sure your hazardous waste program is efficient, cost-effective, and compliant by knowing which exclusions to apply. We’ve put together this list to help streamline waste management at your facility.

While funeral homes are not healthcare facilities, they require the same waste management procedures since they generate medical waste. As a funeral director, you have personal responsibility for properly disposing of all waste generated by your funeral home.

Proper hazardous waste storage is one of the most important methods for protecting your facility and maintaining normal operations. Additionally, upholding best practices for waste management is crucial for ensuring proper storage techniques, along with the wellbeing of the surrounding environment and the safety of all visitors and employees.

Properly labeling your hazardous waste materials is one of the most important activities for a compliant waste management regime. From notifying personnel of the dangers involved in dealing with a material, to ensuring your waste management provider is able to handle each material appropriately, labels are crucial for maintaining safe operations.

Congratulations! Your facility has a plan in place to insure proper implementation and management of an effective hazardous waste management program. It includes clear specifications for training employees about how to properly identify, handle, and dispose of hazardous waste, along with defining the specific steps they should take if they’re exposed to hazardous materials in both disaster and regular workday scenarios. It clearly details the entire process from the point of waste generation through final disposal.

Managing the collection and disposal of hazardous waste is one of your facility’s most important tasks, and the consequences of failing to comply with legal requirements can be stark. With stakes so high, how do you ensure you’re meeting your responsibilities while constrained by budgetary and scheduling pressures?

Hazardous waste that is improperly managed poses a serious threat to human health as well as to the environment. Once your facility has established a compliant regulated waste management process, the bulk of the work required to maintain it centers around documentation and other hard copy information, including a hazardous waste plan.

Managing shop towels and disposable wipes is a common burden for many facilities, but are you wasting money by treating all your rags like hazardous waste?

Although any contaminated wipes, rags or towels are subject to legal management requirements, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conditionally excluded many solvent-contaminated rags and materials from the solid and hazardous waste regulations. Given that fact, how can your facility save time and reduce waste management costs by adhering to EPA rag rules?

The Environmental Protection Agency’s hazardous waste manifest system was created to track hazardous waste from the time it leaves the facility where it was generated, until it reaches the off-site facility for storage, treatment, or disposal. The Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest is the form that is the key component of the system, and it helps ensure accountability in the transportation and disposal process.

You should select your hazardous waste transporter and your treatment, storage and disposal facility (TSDF) very carefully. As a hazardous waste generator, you have cradle-to-grave responsibility for your waste and remain responsible for its proper management even after it leaves your facility.

How do you know that your hazardous waste is being properly managed by your waste services provider? After the waste leaves your facility, how can you be sure that it’s transported and treated following state and federal regulations? We’ve put together a list of things to look for, including a checklist to help you select your hazardous waste partner to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.